Curl holding device



July 1, 1952 R. A. SMITH 2,601,861 H CURL HOLDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 14 1951 INVENTOR POI ANDREW FM/T4 ATTORN EYS Patented July 1, 1952 CURL HOLDING DEVICE Roy Andrew Smith, New York, N. Y., assignor to Cosmetics Research, New York, N. Y.

Application February 14, 1951, Serial No. 210,973

1 Claim.

My invention. relates to improvements in a hair retaining device and more particularly relates to a device for holding a curl "in flattened relation to the head. In forming'curls and in setting the hair in the form of waves, it is customary to form a portion of the hair into a relatively tight circular curl or flat "pin curl, which then is set by holding the curl in position and shape overnight or by application of permanent waving solutions. Conventional devices for holding the curl in flat position are subject to a number of well-known difliculties and disadvantages which have prompted many proposals to remedy them. Probably the most widely used holding device is the ordinary bobby pin. Since the formation or the curl-requires the use of one hand, the bobby pin requires extreme manual dexterity or dangerous use of theteeth in self-application. Care mustbe exercised in inserting the hobby pin ,because the flat narrow prongs may dig into the ,scalp. In addition, its snap spring tension which largely concentrates the, pressure ata localized point combined with the narrow overlapping form of its holding prongs tends to kick the curl and mar the appearance.oftheresulting wave when thecurl is .brushedout. Indeed the kinking action may actually break individualhairs which is harmful in-itselfbut further aggravated if a wavesetting-solution.isemployed.

Many ,expedients have been proposed in an effort toremedy these disadvantages and provide a more satisfactory, pin curl holding device... Modified variations of the original hair pin have been proposed but have been unsatisfactory becausetheyare difficult to apply, unsatisfactory in firmly retaining all portions of thecurl in position, or inclined. toward kinking the hair when tensioned, for firm holding. More successful have been various hinged and spring-locked clasps and clips. These articles are relatively easy to apply but are uncomfortable for the wearer. The hinged construction increasesthe costof manufacture and in use causes discomfort by entangling the hair. Moreover, the hinged construction is associated with broader larger holding members. Smooth-:surfaced and flattened for lightness, they tend to slipofi the curl entirely. More important, however, is the fact that these articles are very poorly adapted to the use of wave setting solutions since the size and overlapping relation of the clasping members interfere with proper saturation of the hair and with drying.

All of these devices, insofar as I have been able to determine suffer the additional disadvantage that they depend for holding action upon spring-engaged touching elements or rotating or twisting hinge elements. Accordingly, they cannot be coated as a practical matter with a protective paint or varnish for use with wavesetting solutions. This is a serious disadvantage since lightness, durability and resiliency at the present time require spring metal construction which cannot be used with wave-setting solutions without corrosion, unsightly stains and disturbing discoloration. Plastic construction with a rubber bandtensioning element has been proposed for this purpose but bulky, broad and imperforate holding members are required dueto the low strength of the plastic material.

The pin curl clip of my invention is peculiarly adapted to holding a curl in flattened relation to the head for wave-setting purposes. The device is easy to apply with one hand and holds the curl securely. An elongated lower holding member guided beneath the curl provides easy leverage against the curve of the head to open the clip to embrace the curl as it is slipped into place without any separate opening act. Light weight resilient construction providing low ten sion spring action holds the curl firmly without pinching the hair or causing discomfort; Multiple strand combination for the holding members distributes the retaining pressure equally over a gerat number of points so as to combine security with lightness of clasp. The offset relationship of the upper members to the single looped lower member provides added holding capacities around the inner periphery of the curl which is essential for creation of a neat, uni

form wave. The holding members have a minimum overlap and do-not touch at any point.

alkali resistant coatings to provide suitability for use with wave-setting solutions.

My curl holding device is characterized by con struction from a light durable resilient material, such as spring steel wire, which is formed into a loop-form base member of flattened ellipsoidal shape having a closed tip. The tip is forwardly and downwardly extended to provide a smooth elongated guide portion. Advantageously, the base member is curved slightly to follow the contour of the head. An upwardly extending arch is provided at the end of the base member opposite the tip from which extend a pair of oppositely disposed loop-form holding members of flattened ellipsoidal shape. By means of the arched construction, the upper members are positioned in spring tensionecl relationship over the base memher. The upper loop-form members are disposed in ofi'set relationship to the loop-form base member, that is, each loop is positioned astride the corresponding outer portion of the lower loop. The free ends of the offset upper members advantageously are bent slightly upward to form in conjunction with the downwardly extending tip of the base member an opened space to receive the curl.

My invention will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a. typical device and its mode of application are illustrated in simplified form. Figure 1 represents a top plan View of the new type pin' struction is illustrated by base member Ii! and' upper oifset members H and 12. The base member is in loop-form of flattened ellipsoidal shape as indicated by the loop side members I3 and M. The. upper holding members H and 12-, respec tively, are similar, of loop-form construction of flattened ellipsoidal shape with oppositely bowed side members I5, 16, I! and I8. Advantageously, the device is constructed from a single length of spring steel wire, e. g. of about 0.03 to 0.05 inch thickness. Thin light weight flat stock also may be employed. The material is first bentto-form the elongated tip t9 and loop of base member Hi. The loop advantageously is pinched together to form the tip l9 which provides a smooth rounded guide portion for inserting the device into the hair. The two free ends of the wire then are arched upwardly to provide a spring tensioning and spacing member 21, better seen in Figure 2. Advantageously, the arches are brazed together at 22 so that both upper members depend from a single joint to provide greater strength for the construction and improved spring tension. The upper membersxare' formed into the loops delineated by side strands i5, i6, Hand 3. Lateral extensions 23 andz l' provide the required degree of offset between the loops of the upper holding members and the'loop 20 of the lower member Hi. The ends of the wire completing the loop are brazed tight at 25 and 26. Advantageously, the free ends of the upper members H and I2 are pinched together as indicated at2land28. s

By reference to Figure-2 it may be seen that the guide portion l9 of base member 10 is bent downwardly and the pinched end portions '27 and 28 are bent slightly upward so as to form an opened mouth or receiving space iorthe curl. The base member I0 is shaped to the contour of the headand it is important to provide sufficient length in the tip 19 so that when downwardly extended to slide under the curl from any angle the. elongated tip will provide sufiicient leverage under the curl to easily raise the ends of the upper members i l and [2 as the clip isslipped into place.

In Figure 5, a device of the general character of that illustrated in Figure 1 is shown as produced' by stamping from light weightspring metal fiat stock. The various structural and holding members are analogous to those illustrated in Figure l and follow the same numbering scheme. The device is illustrated at the manufacturing stage where the spring arch connection at the closed end of the device is to be formed bybending'the upper portion comprising holding mem,

feel to bring ends. 21 and 28 of upper members I l and I2 in overridin relationship to the edge of the curl while the curl advantageously is retained with two fingers placed slightly apart. The holding device then may be easily slipped into position as indicated in Figures 3 and 4 without opening the device in any other manner due to the leverage against the head by elongated tip 19 through the;curl upon the upper members II and l2. The ofiset relationship between the strands of loop-form base members H and I2, with base member ID centered below the curl, results in evenly distributed pressure on the curl with all portions of the inner. periphery whichis most inclined to become disengagedin positive engagement. I

Hence, my new curl holding device combines in pring tensioned relationship. an elongated loop-form base member centered below'two offset loop-form upper holding members. The long downwardly curved tip of the central basememher in conjunction with the slightly upturned longitudinally extending upper members provides a guidingandgathering action in positioning the clip. No separate opening act is necessary; the clip is merely slipped on regardless of angle of approach to the head as the lever'action of the tip takes the tension off the upper members. free ends, is obviated. The clip need be applied with one hand only. There is no need to. resort to the teeth or the nails to open. The rounded end construction eliminates sharp or blade-like ends which may cause discomfort or dig into the scalp. The user then can slide the elongated I tip comfortably and safely along the scalpto,

guide the clip into exact position in a manner impossible with conventional pins and clips; The multi-loop form constructionwith six wire strands over'and under the curlprovides'security of' clasp over the greater area of the curl and at all sections of the center. The relative curvature of the members together with thedistributed spring action permits auniform and gentle grip on the curl over the entire holding area, avoiding the kinking, and concentrated, pressure points of conventional devices. The light weight divided construction coversa minimum amount of hair allowing maximum'saturation and drying rate. The simple wire construction and. the spread between members permits inexpensive manufacture 'and ready coating for use with chemically active solutions.

I claim: V

A device for holding a curl in flattened. relationto the head formed of a' light durable resiliient material and comprising an elongated loop- 7 form base member of flattened ellipsoidal shape curved slightly to follow the contour of'th'e head and having a forwardly and downwardly extended tip, an upwardly extending arch at the end of the base member opposite the tip, a pair of oppositely disposed loop-form holding members of flattened ellipsoidal shape extending from the arched end of the base member in spring tensioned relationship over the base member characterized by offset relationship of each loop to the loop-form base member. and having the free end of the upper'members bent slightly upwardto form in conjunction with the forwardly and downwardly extending elongated tip otthe base an opened receptive space for the curl.

- ROY ANDREW SMITH.

No references cited.

The likelihood of piercing .the curl, leaving 

